[4] Linsner grew up with a fascination for Batman, the X-Men, Conan the Barbarian,[5] and the pinup artist Alberto Vargas.

In 2002, Linsner self-published I Love New York, a benefit book for the American Red Cross following the September 11 attacks; the comic presents his perceptions as a native New Yorker on that day.

[11][12] Image Comics released the 176-page paperback The Art of Joseph Michael Linsner (ISBN 978-1582403250) in October 2003.

He did his first cover for Dynamite Entertainment in 2007 (Red Sonja), and since 2012 has been one of the company's most prolific cover artists,[10] mainly for its collections of comics featuring such licensed characters as Red Sonja, Vampirella, Bettie Page, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Dejah Thoris, and Jennifer Blood.

Linsner has a lengthy association with The Hero Initiative, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping comic book creators, writers, and artists in need.